The Chosen Path

Several days after the monsters’ assault, I brought Hokuto and Emilia to a certain mansion in Romanio.

By the way, Reus went to the Adventurer’s Guild to do request alone. Reese and Fia were shopping at the town of Romanio and they were not here now.

“…It seems that you have come. You may investigate.” (??)

“Well then, please excuse us.” (Sirius)

This was the mansion of the noble who set the condition of Albert to defeat the Guirdjieff. The head of the family greeted us with a weary expression.

We, then, asked him to bring us to the storehouse on the premise, and we were looking inside.

“How about it?” (??)

“It seems like there’s nothing, but…” (Sirius)

“I don’t remember anything about that person, not even the appearance or voice, but I can remember that it was a woman and she was using this storehouse.” (??)

“Hmm… I will look some more.” (Sirius)

What we were doing here was to find traces of the forgotten woman who deceived the noble in front of us.

Based on my assumption, I thought that she was the criminal who made the synthetic monster, Chimera, that could attract large amount of monsters, but she brainwashed many of the surrounding nobles and she used them to deceive people.

Although it was alright to assume that the cause of the hordes was that woman, it was still my own assumption until the end. Since the source of the Chimera that was likely to be the evidence was completely incinerated, there was no way to confirm that it was made by her.

Because of that reason, as an outbreak of the monster’s mutation, the Chimera was brought to an end.

That woman was considered to be a criminal by the nobles in Romanio and Parade at once, so it would be rare for her to approach these places in the same way.

Just to be sure, I explained my thoughts to only Albert, and advised him to be careful.

“The traces of magic formation… I guess it is impossible to find it.” (Sirius)

“This looks like an ordinary storehouse.” (Emilia)

Actually, I asked the Romanio’s ruler through Albert, and I got permission to investigate for the traces of that woman.

There was evidence that someone else started to investigate this matter, but I couldn’t find anything suspicious. It was a lonely interior, where there was only some luggage that had been there from before, and was brought to the corner of the room.

I didn’t think that was a place where the Chimeras were made…

“…Woof!” (Hokuto)

“It is what Sirius-sama has said. It is difficult to understand because there are various smells mixed in, but Hokuto said that there is a slight smell of blood that remains.” (Emilia)

I wasn’t sure whether a Hundred Wolves could perceive it because it was a breed of dogs, but it seemed to be unable to deceive the dog’s sense of smell.

Of course, Emilia’s and Reus’ sense of smell was sharp, but apparently, they lose against the real deal.

Hokuto walked around, while sniffing the smell as it was. He, then, stood in a corner of the storeroom and lightly barked.

“Woof!” (Hokuto)

“Uhmm… he said that this spot has the strongest smell of blood. I can also smell it a bit.” (Emilia)

“Let me see…” (Sirius)

I touched the floor and used [Scan], but apparently, there was no space underneath.

There was only a reaction of soil and stone, but I felt that the soil was dug up. It seemed that it was recently buried, even though the below ground existed from the beginning.

“But, if I dig it now…” (Sirius)

It was possible to dig up the below ground by using a magic stone, but not just soil mixed in, even the evidence would also disappear.

It was impossible to prove through science, like in the previous life, and in the first place, I didn’t believe that someone, who destroyed evidence, left a conspicuous evidence like a magic formation. Therefore, I had no choice but to give up.

“How is it? Did you find anything?” (Emilia)

“No, not really. It’s just that since this is suspicious, it might be better to crush this storehouse immediately.” (Sirius)

“Hmm, that’s the original plan then. I feel uneasy because they can’t remember her up until this point. I will crush it once and for all, so they can build something else on top of it!” (Emilia)

After that, we departed from the noble, who made an expression as if he ate something bitter, and we returned to the mansion where Albert lived.

—

“Is that so? Anyhow, I will keep it mind if there is any suspicious existences.” (Albert)

“I don’t think that she will come again, but it’s probably going to be fine for now. By the way… are you alright?” (Sirius)

I conveyed the result to Albert, and he was studying how to be good ruler in his house, or necessary knowledge for the next ruler.

Maybe because he had a developmental fever due to continuously studying on numerous materials, he was heavily breathing, while falling down on a desk buried with books and documents.

“No, since it is necessary from now on, I have to study even a little…” (Albert)

“Danna-sama(1). The tea is ready.” (Pamela)

There seemed to be a maid- and a butler-in-waiting when he became the head of the family, but apparently, his wife, Pamela, prepared tea for Albert.

As we received the tea, since she was also preparing for us, Pamela also gave some tea to Marina, who was buried in the books and documents, just like Albert.

“Thank you very much, Aneue.” (Marina)

“It’s not good to keep at this if you are tired, Marina. Come now, let’s call your beloved Reus and take a break together.” (Pamela)

“Aneue!? Reus and I are not like that… Be-besides, he went out on a guild’s request!” (Marina)

What Marina had been studying was acquiring similar knowledge to Albert’s and they were studying negotiation skills. She seemed to want to be a secretary dedicated to Reus in the future.

She was studying to become a fine woman who would support the lacking parts of Reus, such as figuring out who would deceive him or somebody who wanted to make use of Reus’ strength.

During the wedding ceremony between Albert and Pamela, she seemed to have decided to look after Reus, who was having trouble being solicited by nobles.

After that, when we discussed about the future, I didn’t think being a secretary would be sufficient, because they would be together. Noel’s daughter, Noir, would probably have similar thoughts.

When I noticed, it seemed that she started calling Reus by his name. I guessed that their relationship had considerably progressed.

And then, we drank together with Albert, while he was taking a break.

Hokuto was lying down at my feet, while Emilia taught Pamela on how to make tea. In the meantime, since Albert and Marina were mentally exhausted, they closed their eyes and let out a long breath while resting.

I tried reading it for a while, and I noticed a couple of things along the way.

It was probably good to acquire necessary abilities as a ruler by reading the past report, but there were many parts to be concerned about when I read it.

Since my previous partner was a commander of the organization, I was extremely familiar with managing as a leader. I learned a couple of things, while working together with my partner, so I noticed insufficient and out-of-place portions.

Albert and Marina, who tried to drink tea, noticed that I was reading and they were making difficult faces.

“Shishou? Is there something wrong?” (Albert)

“…I am a bit concerned about some of the parts in this. Will it be alright if I talk about this matter?” (Sirius)

Since I was looking at the documents that the siblings were learning together, I tried to give a supplementary explanation.

I told them about the different approaches of grasping a person’s heart, how to guide their minds and a more efficient calculation method. And then, I taught a few ways to negotiate to Marina, since she needed that the most.

“There is also a way to catch those people who manipulate others behind the scenes in one go, and also to anticipate your opponent’s next move by feelings. That is, with an assumption of knowing the information and the strength of the opponent.” (Sirius)

Ultimately, I talked about tactics as a leader or commanding officer, and the siblings were attentively nodding while listening.

Although I had explained it until this point, I felt like the break wasn’t a break anymore.

“Well… I was suddenly thinking about these anyway. More importantly, I have finished talking about what I wanted to talk about, so why don’t the both of you take a break?” (Sirius)

“I’m fine because it’s not a burden if I’m just listening.” (Albert)

“Me too. I will study a lot about Sirius-san’s explanation.” (Marina)

“Besides… Shishou is going to leave soon, right? Therefore, I want to learn even a bit.” (Albert)

Looking at the laughing Albert, who seemed a bit lonely, it seemed that Marina and Pamela also remembered that. Especially Marina, who was visibly depressed. It was because when we were not there, Reus would also be the same.

She was probably depressed like a lover being separated.

As silence surrounded the room, Pamela gently clapped to change the mood, and opened her mouth.

“Uhmm… Sirius-sama. Have you decided when will you leave?” (Pamela)

“Well… I’m planning to leave about two or three days later.” (Sirius)

“If you don’t mind, could you teach us various things tomorrow?” (Pamela)

“Stop it, Pamela. Shishou is also busy preparing for the trip, so asking him to teach us is…” (Albert)

Since the next destination was a little farther away and resupplying was difficult, we were going to buy necessary supplies until the day after tomorrow, and I planned to build something, like a storage unit, for the purpose of preservation.

However, other people could also make the storage unit, so there was no problem to teach them in between. Besides, that was my original plan.

“No, I don’t mind. I will go back because I have work today, but I’ll show my face here tomorrow morning.” (Sirius)

“Shishou… thank you very much.” (Albert)

“Thank you. How would you like to be paid?” (Pamela)

“Payment… is it?” (Sirius)

Since we had a track record of contributing to battle, like how Reus and I defeated the Chimeras, which seemed to have caused many sacrifices, we received payments from both Parade and Romanio’s towns.

I didn’t mind to teach them for free, but they probably wouldn’t agree.

When I was considering other matters, the sound of the door of the room being knocked sounded, and a maid’s voice could be heard in the mansion.

“Ojou-sama. Reus-sama has come.” (Maid)

“Alright, please let him in.” (Pamela)

“!?” (Marina)

Knowing that Reus had come, Marina’s fox ears and three tails tensely stood up, and she started arranging her messed-up hair with a comb.

As I was instinctively smiled at her very understandable appearance, the door was opened and Reus came into the room.

“Excuse me—… Eh, Aniki? Why are you here?” (Reus)

“Aah, I am reporting after finishing the investigation in this morning. How about you?” (Sirius)

“I have some business with Marina. Al, can I borrow Marina for a moment?” (Reus)

“I don’t mind that, but…” (Albert)

While Albert inclined his neck, Reus walked in front of Marina and put up a smile.

“How are you, Marina?” (Reus)

“Uh, uhmm… I probably can’t say much because I just started. An-anyway, what kind of business you have with me?” (Marina)

“Actually, I have something that I want to give you, but can you show me your hand?” (Reus)

“…Like this?” (Marina)

Marina had a reddened face while slightly looking away, and she took out her right hand when she heard Reus.

After confirming that, Reus took out a pendant with a beautiful decoration from his pocket, and put it on Marina’s hand.

“Eh? This is… could it be…?” (Marina)

“Yesterday, I was looking for something to give to you in the town. I asked people in a store and they said that this stone is something that you give to your love one.” (Reus)

It was a mass of crystals produced by monsters that lived only in certain parts of the Deine Lake. It was a red shining stone resembling a ruby.

Since the monster was small and quick and its numbers were few, it was very difficult to catch or to knock it down.

When I thought about it, was that the reason why he left for the Adventurer’s Guild alone early in the morning?

“It was difficult because it got into the water, but I somehow managed to complete the request. So, I got the stone instead of the reward. I received this pendant along the way when I came here, and I want to give it to you, Marina.” (Reus)

And I have a solution for BOTH drawbacks on Hokuto’s delivery service:
Hokuto shall do the delivery with Sirius riding on him.
-> He will not be separated from Sirius so the 1st drawback is solved.
-> Sirius can brush his hair for every customer’s pay and even do so during the delivery itself. So the 2nd drawback is also solved and even the time for brushing can be saved as Sirius does it during the delivery.

==> Only the cost will change, as you must offer something to Sirius to make him agree with the delivery.